Gov. Rick Perry Endorses Fellow Texan Ted Cruz

Former GOP Candidate and longest serving Governor of Texas, Rick Perry endorsed fellow Texan, Ted Cruz over the weekend. Perry told Politico that he sees the race as now being between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. “Of those individuals who have a chance to win the Republican primary, at this juncture, from my perspective, Ted Cruz is by far the most consistent conservative in that crowd,” Perry said. “And that appears to be down to two people." Perry has been outspoken about his dislike for Donald Trump in the past calling him a “cancer of conservatism.”

This is another big endorsement for Cruz who received an endorsement from Glenn Beck just two days ago. Perry is set to join Cruz on the campaign trail this week including a rally in Des Moines on Wednesday.

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe earlier today Perry, referred to Cruz as “the best listener that I’ve ever been around in the political world.” He said that courage is not something that Cruz lacks, even though it might make him unpopular on Capitol Hill. As a former Air Force pilot, Perry says he believes Cruz will be “ready to serve on day one.”

Cruz welcomed the endorsement from Perry referring to him as a “a friend and a remarkable public servant.”

In December Cruz' senate colleague, and 2008 GOP nominee, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) offered unflattering words for Mr. Cruz' achievements in Washington, D.C. “I don’t think he’s been effective,” Sen. John McCain told the New York Times. “I think that’s pretty obvious. Shutting down the government? How did that work out?” However, Rick Perry believes that this is an asset for the candidate.

“I’d rather see folks come together, work together to find solutions, but from time to time, you’ve got to lay the marker down,” Perry said. “There’s that old adage, ‘You gotta hit the mule upside the head to get its attention from time to time.’ I’d suggest that’s exactly what the senator was doing.”

-Bronte Price

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